National Geographic’s exploration grants support
exploration and adventure around the world and are approved by media
experts looking for engaging stories and topics suitable for National
Geographic media. The scientific advisory committee will give primary
consideration to the reviews of representatives from National Geographic
editorial divisions (magazines, television, books, etc.) along with the
scientific and conservation merits, where applicable, of proposed
projects.
Exploration grants are editorially driven; projects must
have the potential to yield compelling stories and images. Applications
are also judged on the qualifications of applicants and their teams and
on the merit and uniqueness of the project.
In addition
to financial support, exploration grants offer grantees the opportunity
to work effectively with National Geographic's many divisions. Grantees
are therefore able to share the results of their projects with National
Geographic's global audience.
Eligibility
In
order to be considered for funding, the applicant must be a legal
resident of Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos,
Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore,
Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, or Vietnam.
Submissions
must be made in English if they are to receive timely consideration by
the Committee for Science and Exploration in Asia.
Applicants
are expected to have qualifications and experience pertinent to the
expedition or project they propose, and advanced academic degrees are
not required.
Applicants planning to work outside of Asia should include at least one local collaborator as part of their field team.
National Geographic also awards Young Explorers Grants (YEG) in this category. Follow the instructions below to apply.
Grant Amounts
While
grant amounts vary greatly, the average award is U.S. $30,000. Funds
are to be used for direct field expenses: transportation, supplies,
subsistence, and permit costs as well as other related fees (e.g.,
interpreters, guides, and porters).
Exploration grants do not
provide fees for media production costs, photography, videography, and
writing. Such fees are negotiated separately with the editorial units at
National Geographic.
In order to generate the best
story, coverage of the expedition may be assigned to National Geographic
photographers, writers, and film crews.
Grants funded by National Geographic are generally for up to one year's work in the field.
Grant Requirements
Grant
recipients must provide a full accounting of their expenditures on
completion of the project. They are also required to submit a report
summarizing their findings within two months of returning from the
field.
National Geographic requires that grant recipients give right of first refusal for coverage to National Geographic
magazine, National Geographic Television, National Geographic
Entertainment, and all other publication and broadcast media of the
National Geographic Society and its subsidiaries. This right
specifically includes books, all other National Geographic Society
magazines, lectures, exhibits, our website, and other electronic media,
as well as publicity about the project.
Grant Restrictions
National
Geographic Society grants may not be used for indirect costs, overhead,
and other expenses not directly related to the project. Fringe benefits
are also excluded, as are salaries. Funds may not be used for travel to
scientific/professional meetings or conferences, legal actions, land
acquisition, endowments, construction of permanent field stations, or
publishing research results. Grant recipients are expected to provide
the National Geographic Society with rights of first refusal for popular
publication of their findings.
